Tennessee College Selects Designers for $72M Renovation Project

Tennessee College of Applied Tech Memphis (TCAT Memphis) in Memphis, Tenn., recently announced that it has approved documents from DLR Group and 4FDesign for an upcoming multi-phased renovation project, a news release reports. DLR Group previously completed the college’s 2020 TCAT Statewide Master Plan Update. The project will cost an estimated $72 million, an allocation from state governor Bill Lee’s “Tennessee: Leading the Nation Agenda” initiative providing a $1-billion investment in technology colleges.

The campus replacement project will take place across multiple phases, according to the news release. An existing 115,000-square-foot building will be replaced with a new construction of 85,000 square feet. The project also involves building a new 35,000-square-foot one-story high-bay lab and classroom structure and the renovation of two existing buildings, as well as improvements to site development, parking areas, drives, and infrastructure.

“Embarking on this multi-phased renovation project for TCAT Memphis is an opportunity to lead the community in health and science pathways and increase visibility around TBR’s [the Tennessee Board of Regents’] initiatives,” said Benjamin R. Strain, AIA, LEED AP, Principal and Higher Education Design Leader at DLR Group. “The first phase of the campus replacement project will shine a beacon on TCAT Memphis.”

DLR Group will serve as the Design Architect and 4FDesign the Architect of Record. The project is currently in the Construction Documentation (CD) process.

“With 40 years of experience working on TBR and State of TN projects, 4FDesign brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record to every project,” said Curt Pierce, AIA NCARB, LAI, ULI, 4FDesign Vice President and Principal. “TCAT Memphis is a moment for 4FDesign to ensure the college and Tennessee state keeps pace with career-fueled economies by revitalizing its Career Technical Education (CTE) program with new construction.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

  • Miami University Approves New $242M Multipurpose Arena

    Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, recently announced that its Board of Trustees has approved construction of a new multipurpose arena at Cook Field, according to university news. The $242-million project will serve as a new centralized hub for student life and create space for economic development on campus.